Now that I've been away for a few weeks, I keep hoping to stop waking up in a panic that I'm late for work..lol, sure the habit will wear off by the time I'm due back.
Pretty sure I booked the last room available for (much, much less) than £200 per night!
super happy, the guy making the booking was completely shocked
that I could get a ten night stay anywhere, cos of the festivals-mostly
booked months in advance.
Brilliant deal after a long conversation with a
call centre to book a train ticket (£95, return!) Prices change
dramatically depending on availability so switch & swap
arrival/departure times to shop for the best deal..annoying aren't I,
call centre? If I hadn't been annoying it would've cost a ridiculous
and unpayable £470, incredible eh? so much difference to be on a train the same days I need, just different times!
So its obvious I'm just as clumsy on the other side of the world- fun fall and sprained ankle-3 days up, loser..
Off to Edinburgh-
Scene: (at station) waiting, waiting..
ANNOUNCE PLATFORM!
DEPARTS IN SEVEN MINUTES!
Far, Far away from where you are all waiting..
Cue:300 men, women, prams and wheelchairs weaving around miserable/jealous Londoners..
My room was most likely available because the hotel is 40 minutes
from anywhere and buses run from 7am weekdays/ 10am weekends till 11pm,
half hourly..
The local store closes at 8pm and closed on Sundays
Translation: Not in London anymore Toto. I was getting too spoilt anyhow. (not exactly roughing it, I hear you yell)
Oh well, to the famous Fringe festival daily, first couple of days
are cheap tickets, plan well to see the shows that will be most
expensive later, see free performances on the expensive days (Sat/Sun)
and organise venues and times well so you don't have to rush around.
Research the buses you will need, otherwise wasting a couple of pounds
here and there on desperate taxis and wrong buses really adds up.
Most overheard comment at Fringe: ''It's got good reviews''
Everyone has good reviews on the POSTER!
Like I said- the preview shows are cheap but
most of the performers (that i attended) make mention of the cheap
tickets..as in- what do you expect? you're ticket only cost you £8 not
£12..disappointing when you are simply eager to see them- if it had cost
£4 or £40.
All day I was planning an awesome night into the morning for myself- as there are
some great comedy shows and plenty going on till 4/5am...even though it
was pouring rain I was still so excited..so excited I fell (yes again)
into what can only be described as a swimming pool/pothole as I was
rushing (so clever) to a show. Lovely male couple helped me up and held
my umbrella over me (no real point, come to think of it, haha) as I checked my phone wasn't destroyed when my bag drowned with me (all fine, thankfully- as my phone has my everything in it)
When I got to the arena (soaked) I wasn't
allowed in because the show had already started and they are pretty
strict about that (because of scalpers selling last minute tickets) a
group of people who'd already been turned away before me huddled under
an awning complaining..we all headed to a club nearby and had a
dance..things got a bit weird with them so I got a cab to the next show
on my list..which sucked!! they made fun of fat girls, gay guys, some
racism- just horrible, an improv group, so there was no way to know, really. Called it a night and ate some oreos.
Have seen the amazing Margaret Cho, a rough Jimeoin gig and my new favourite comic Michael Workman- pure genius.
Would be a good idea to check a joke or two before booking a ticket to a show, there is
so much to see- no point in wasting your time..I've definitely
scribbled out comedy as a job/hobby as burning out onstage is mortifying
to just be near.
Edinburgh castle is unbelievably wonderful to see in person, photos just can't do it justice. The festivals and festivities
are organised and completely worthwhile. A decent meal will cost at
least ten pounds, I've been having one real meal (usually vegetarian) a
day, beer and snacks- seems to be the norm at fringe..
'Late & Live' is not to be missed (unless
you can't dance your ass off till 5am) it's tempting to only see your
main interest group eg-comedy/art/performance/music.
But (usually) if you just close your eyes, open the fringe guide and
point, you will go to something awesome that you wouldn't have
considered. I always had a better time at a show I probably would have
missed out on than at shows I've planned to see (which are sold out by 3pm)
So many famous people walking around and going
to shows..which is kinda weird, I get the opportunity to make an idiot
of myself to comics I've adored for ages..and regret everything I said
later..
Was so sad to leave, but I think it's probably better than 'Oh god I cant wait to get outta here'
Dude sitting next to me on the train to London
was reading books on how to scam casinos AND financial planning- turns
out he's just very in love with money..Maybe he thought this is a good
thing to tell women, not this one..an okay five hours, nice bloke and he
wished me well with my travels..I wished him well with his plans for
global domination etc.
Again staying in London to recover fringe withdrawal/ plan next destination..thinking Paris..
